Eagle Street Gateway Riverwalk project breaks ground in Naperville
The city of Naperville and the Naperville Riverwalk Commission gathered on Thursday, March 27, to celebrate the groundbreaking for a key portion of the Naperville Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan, along with representatives of U.S. Rep. Bill Foster’s and Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s offices.
Also attending were members of the Riverwalk Foundation, the Naperville Park District as well as members of the design and engineering teams.
The Eagle Street Gateway is one of several capital improvements recommended in the 2031 Master Plan, which was published in 2020 and endorsed by both the park district and the city council.
Improvements included in the Eagle Street Gateway project are designed to increase visitor safety, accessibility and hospitality.
The new, gently sloping section of the riverwalk will provide barrier-free, ADA compliant access between the upper and lower levels for both able-bodied and mobility challenged pedestrians and provide uninterrupted connectivity between the segments east and west of Eagle Street.
The terraced garden walkways also improve visitor hospitality, inviting visitors to sit along stone walls and wooden benches to enjoy a wonderful view of the river from the upper plaza and engaging visitors to explore the lower level.
A major highlight of this project is its ADA accessibility, ensuring that all residents and visitors — regardless of mobility — can fully experience the riverwalk.
Foster has been a strong advocate for accessibility and has supported efforts to align the Eagle Street Gateway project with federal ADA standards. He secured $900,000 in federal community project funds toward the Eagle Street Gateway project. The City of Naperville plans on funding the balance of the construction cost.
The construction will be led by Naperville firm Baumgartner Construction. The project is estimated to be completed in 180 days. During that time, visitors may access the riverwalk at Eagle Street south of the bridge at Farmer’s Plaza.